Estudo da presença de Leptospira spp. em bivalves que habitam águas doces superficiais da região de Trás-os-Montes
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2021-12-03
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A leptospirose é uma doença zoonótica reemergente com distribuição mundial provocada por espiroquetas patogénicas do género Leptospira. As leptospiras patogénicas são mantidas na natureza por numerosos reservatórios selvagens e domésticos, que constituem uma potencial fonte de infeção para humanos e outros hospedeiros suscetíveis. O habitat natural destas espiroquetas é o rim dos hospedeiros infetados, sendo eliminadas para o ambiente via urina, onde se mantém viáveis em condições de humidade e temperatura adequadas, nomeadamente em águas doces superficiais Os estudos que têm vindo a ser efetuados na região de Trás-os-Montes demonstram elevadas prevalências de anticorpos em animais domésticos e selvagens, corroboradas pelo isolamento de estirpes locais, nomeadamente pelo isolamento do serovar Altodouro – um novo serovar de Leptospira kirschneri, isolado a partir de Mus musculus. O presente estudo tem por objetivo detetar a presença de leptospiras em amostras de águas e de bivalves de água doce, em vários pontos do rio Sabor. Foram analisadas 40 amostras de bivalves e amostras de águas que foram recolhidas nos locais onde forma capturados os bivalves (n=5). Estas amostras foram pré-preparadas (as águas foram filtradas e os bivalves macerados) para posterior extração de DNA, realizou-se a técnica de Nested-PCR e em seguida a eletroforese em gel de agarose. Das 45 amostras, detetou-se a presença de DNA leptospírico em dois bivalves e em duas amostras de águas. Dos três pontos (troços) do rio Sabor amostrados, três revelaram a presença de leptospiras. O presente estudo tem um carater inovador e permitiu revelar a presença de bactérias do Leptospiras patogénicas, ao longo do rio Sabor, sendo necessário tomar medidas de prevenção no âmbito da Saúde Pública, nas áreas afetadas. A obtenção de resultados positivos neste tipo de amostras é difícil pelas baixas concentrações de DNA leptospírico, indicando uma boa seleção das técnicas aplicadas neste estudo.
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution, caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Pathogenic leptospires are maintained in the ecosystems by numerous wild and domestic reservoirs, which constitute a potential source of infection for humans and othersusceptible hosts. The natural habitat of these spirochetes is the kidney of the infected hosts, being eliminated to the environment via urine, where they remain viable under adequate humidity and temperature conditions, namely in superficial fresh water. The studies that have been carried out in the region of Trás-os-Montes demonstrate high prevalence of antibodies among domestic and wild animals, corroborated by the isolation of local strains, namely by the isolation of the serovar Altodouro – a new serovar of Leptospira kirschneri, isolated from a Mus musculus. The present study aims to detect the presence of leptospires in water samples and freshwater bivalves at various points in the Sabor river. Forty samples of bivalves and also water samples that were collected from the places where the bivalves were captured were analyzed (n=5). These samples were pre-prepared (the water samples were filtered and the bivalves macerated) for further DNA extraction, the Nested-PCRtechnique was performed, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Of the 45 samples, the presence of Leptospiral DNA was detected in three of the bivalve samples and in two water samples. The present study has an innovative character and reveals the presence of pathogenic leptospires along the Sabor river, therefore, making it necessary to take preventive measures in the context of Public Health in the affected areas. Obtaining positive results in this type of samples is difficult, due to the low concentrations of leptospiral DNA, indicating a good selection of the techniques applied in this study.
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution, caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Pathogenic leptospires are maintained in the ecosystems by numerous wild and domestic reservoirs, which constitute a potential source of infection for humans and othersusceptible hosts. The natural habitat of these spirochetes is the kidney of the infected hosts, being eliminated to the environment via urine, where they remain viable under adequate humidity and temperature conditions, namely in superficial fresh water. The studies that have been carried out in the region of Trás-os-Montes demonstrate high prevalence of antibodies among domestic and wild animals, corroborated by the isolation of local strains, namely by the isolation of the serovar Altodouro – a new serovar of Leptospira kirschneri, isolated from a Mus musculus. The present study aims to detect the presence of leptospires in water samples and freshwater bivalves at various points in the Sabor river. Forty samples of bivalves and also water samples that were collected from the places where the bivalves were captured were analyzed (n=5). These samples were pre-prepared (the water samples were filtered and the bivalves macerated) for further DNA extraction, the Nested-PCRtechnique was performed, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Of the 45 samples, the presence of Leptospiral DNA was detected in three of the bivalve samples and in two water samples. The present study has an innovative character and reveals the presence of pathogenic leptospires along the Sabor river, therefore, making it necessary to take preventive measures in the context of Public Health in the affected areas. Obtaining positive results in this type of samples is difficult, due to the low concentrations of leptospiral DNA, indicating a good selection of the techniques applied in this study.
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Dissertação de Mestrado em Biologia Clínica e Laboratorial
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Leptospira , bivalves de água doce